2022 NFL Mock Draft | 17-32
Several teams snap up pass-catching sensations in the second half of the first round of this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Standout secondary players also feature heavily, including Derek Stingley Jr.
17) Cincinnati Bengals: Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M
Joe Burrow may have a passing resemblance to Macaulay Culkin, but there’s no way you’d want to leave him Home Alone with some of the pass rushers in the NFL. Although the Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive line has shown vast improvement this season, adding reinforcements next spring should be a priority for the front office.
In this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the Bengals secure one of the best offensive linemen in the class. Texas A&M has moved Kenyon Green all around their offensive line this season, which hasn’t allowed him to shine. However, that has allowed him to demonstrate positional versatility. When he’s at his best, Green has an anchor that could hold a ship in a tsunami. Furthermore, he’s a violent mauler in the ground game who is constantly looking for work.
18) Cleveland Browns: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
With the number of commercials that Baker Mayfield appears in, it can only be a matter of time until we see him donned in a full Santa Claus suit handing out gifts to children from the depths of FirstEnergy Stadium. However, in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, he’s the recipient of the one present that he’s desperately needed this season.
Treylon Burks gives Mayfield a three-level offensive threat. At 6’3″ and 225 pounds, he’s a physical specimen who turns contested-catch situations into just a little bit better than 50/50. Additionally, he possesses incredible athletic ability to pose a unique after-the-catch threat. He’s even been used out of the backfield at Arkansas, bringing a level of creative ability to the Browns’ offense.
19) Washington Football Team: Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
With his luxurious beard and a mischievous twinkle in his eye, you could easily mistake Ryan Fitzpatrick for Santa Claus. He’s certainly been sprinkling festive magic over the NFL for years. However, his time as an NFL quarterback is coming to an end. Although Taylor Heinicke has shown flashes of brilliance, he’s not the long-term future at the position.
Matt Corral could well be. The Ole Miss quarterback has one of the most impressive arms in the 2022 NFL Draft class. Tight windows aren’t really that tight when Corral spirals the balls into them from the multitude of angles he’s capable of throwing from. A tough competitor both as a passer and a ground threat, Corral is brimming with upside and is a genuine upgrade for the Washington Football Team.
20) Buffalo Bills: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
“Make my wish come true, all I want for Christmas is a CB2.” Well funnily enough, Mariah Carey, that’s exactly what we’ve delivered for the Buffalo Bills in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. The Bills need a playmaking cornerback to play opposite Tre’Davious White and they don’t come much better than LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr.
Calling Stingley a CB2 might appear disrespectful — for a lot of people, he’s the standout cornerback of this class. Injury, surgery, and some disappointing performances have soured his stock somewhat this season. However, there’s no denying that the unique size, athleticism, and ball skills he possesses should see him have a successful NFL career.
21) Philadelphia Eagles: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
After securing the secondary earlier in this 4-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the Eagles add a disruptive force to their front seven with the 21st overall selection. Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean has emerged as a dangerous threat as a pass rusher this season. Meanwhile, he’s showcased impressive ability as a coverage linebacker. An incredible athletic threat, Dean can have a transformative impact on the Eagles’ defense.
22) Miami Dolphins: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Mary, Joseph, and the three wise men could do a better job of protecting Tua Tagovailoa than the current Miami offensive line. Expecting the former Alabama quarterback to succeed behind the current unit is like trying to stop the kids from searching under the stairs for Christmas presents ahead of the big day. Futile.
The unit needs a rebuild, and in Mississippi State left tackle Charles Cross, they land a foundational cornerstone. A summer scouting favorite of mine, Cross has developed into one of the best offensive tackles in the nation this season. He’s lean, mean, and plays the game with an aggressive demeanor that belies his size. There aren’t many more athletic or nasty tackles in the college football game.
23) Los Angeles Chargers: Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, FSU
While Justin Herbert is lighting up the NFL like a Christmas tree, the Chargers’ defense is making him work for his wins this season. Heading into Week 15 of the season, they’ve allowed the seventh-most points in the league. Furthermore, they’ve allowed the second-most rushing yards of any team in the NFL so far this season.
Adding Jermaine Johnson II gives Los Angeles a versatile defensive threat who has made a name for himself this season living in opposing backfields. Johnson has earned multiple honors this season after registering 17.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks following his transfer from Georgia. He brings an athletic and powerful presence opposite Joey Bosa.
24) Detroit Lions: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
The Detroit Lions’ wide receiver room is currently emptier than Scrooge’s heart before he’s visited by the three ghosts of Christmas. Having secured a defensive playmaker with the first overall pick, they land an outstanding offensive piece with their second first-round pick. While Chris Olave has been overshadowed by his teammates this fall, he’s still a dangerous receiving threat with exceptional speed, route running, and pass-catching ability.
25) Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Clothed head to toe in the red of the Georgia Bulldogs and sporting a smiling disposition, 6’6″, 340-pound defensive tackle Jordan Davis bears a passing resemblance to Santa Claus (minus the beard, obviously.) He’s even been adorned with multiple sacks this season.
However, Davis moves with athletic ability more akin to one of Santa’s reindeer than the man himself. Rather than cookies, he’s been eating double-teams for breakfast this season. With multiple players in the Baltimore Ravens’ trenches set for free agency, Davis would slide straight in as an instant-impact first-round selection.
26) Dallas Cowboys: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
Despite being one of just three teams with more interceptions than passing touchdowns allowed this season, the Dallas Cowboys use this 4-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft to upgrade their secondary. They’ve allowed the 10th-most passing yards and given up the ninth-most yards per carry to the ground game.
Daxton Hill provides value in both areas. There are few more athletic safeties in college football, and Hill puts that athleticism to devastating use in the opposing backfield. Furthermore, he’s able to cover the entire field in coverage, proving sticky in man situations and displaying a mental aptitude to read the quarterback’s eyes.
27) Tennessee Titans: Zion Johnson, G, Boston College
If Derrick Henry is the sleigh that helps the Tennessee Titans’ offense deliver the goods, the offensive line is the reindeer that allow that baby to take flight. There are multiple spots that need addressing on the line, and Boston College’s Zion Johnson is just the man to fill them.
A versatile offensive lineman, Johnson has experience at both guard and tackle. He’s also been exposed to a variety of offensive schemes, making him truly versatile. He’s strong, technically sound, and has the athletic ability to get out in front and block. A Senior Bowl invitee, Johnson’s stock is only going to rise before the spring.
28) Arizona Cardinals: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
Although the Arizona Cardinals bolstered their secondary with several additions last offseason, when you’re in a division with Matthew Stafford, Russell Wilson, and erm, Jimmy Garoppolo, you can never have enough good cornerbacks. Furthermore, Robert Alford will be 34 next season and is a free agent at the end of the year.
Florida cornerback Kaiir Elam has the size, length, and athletic ability to be a genuinely disruptive threat at the NFL level. He’s flashed his coverage ability in the SEC, while also proving a reliable and aggressive threat against the run game.
29) New England Patriots: Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
If you’re casting for the NFL equivalent of Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, you can’t go far wrong with Bill Belichick. The New England Patriots head coach is famously stingy with the Patriots’ bank account. At no position is this more apparent than at cornerback. Stephon Gilmore was traded this season, and J.C. Jackson looks set to be allowed to test free agency.
As a result, cornerback figures to be the primary need for the Patriots in the 2022 NFL Draft. Roger McCreary is beginning to receive first-round attention after a series of spectacular displays for Auburn this season. Against Alabama, he showcased the speed and ball skills to keep Jameson Williams and John Metchie III under lock and key for large chunks of the game.
30) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE, South Carolina
What do you get for that someone in your life that has everything? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers managed to return their entire Super Bowl-winning starting lineup this season, and they’re in a strong position to repeat as champions. However, the unprecedented return does have its downside, and the Bucs will have free agents on both sides of the ball.
Those include multiple players in the front seven. For that reason, they select South Carolina’s Kingsley Enagbare in the first round of this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Enagbare has the size, strength, and violent disposition to play on the defensive line, while he also possesses the athletic ability to drop back into coverage.
31) Kansas City Chiefs: Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
At times this season, the Kansas City Chiefs defense has been lit up more than the Union Station Christmas tree. The Chiefs have given up the seventh-most passing yards this season, averaging 252 yards per game. As well as struggling in the air, they’ve given up 4.6 yards per carry to the ground game, the sixth-worst in the NFL.
Like the latest toy craze at Christmas, Kyler Gordon is rapidly becoming the must-have cornerback from the Washington Huskies. Before this season, he’d been overshadowed by teammate Trent McDuffie. However, Gordon’s size, physicality, and insane athletic profile — combined with NFL-ready ball skills — mean that he hears his name called first in this 4-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
32) Green Bay Packers: Drake London, WR, USC
I’m not sure exactly how you gift wrap a 6’5″ wide receiver, but this is definitely the present that Aaron Rodgers has been wanting for years. Drake London is a pass catcher that defies convention. He has the size of a big-bodied receiver, and there isn’t a more reliable contested-catch target in this class.
However, London brings more than just a “chuck it up and haul it in” threat. The USC receiver has ridiculous athleticism for his size, posing an after-the-catch threat. He’s also extremely physical, routinely dragging players downfield on his back. The question is, will Rodgers be there to enjoy him?